The Isle of Man has once again been shortlisted for ‘Most Desirable Island in Europe’ in the 2026 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards.

Government tourism agency Visit Isle of Man has welcomed the nomination and is encouraging residents, previous visitors and others who have an affinity with the island to vote in the consumer-led awards.

The Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards are marking their 25th anniversary this year, and organisers expect more than 200,000 people to take part, with the awards recognising destinations and travel experiences based on votes from Wanderlust readers.

The Isle of Man was first recognised in the awards in 2024, when it secured a place among the top-10 most desirable islands in Europe.

A spokesperson from Visit Isle of Man commented: ‘The nomination comes at a time when the Isle of Man is gaining increasing recognition as a must-visit destination, attracting growing interest from people seeking authentic and meaningful experiences.

‘According to the Isle of Man’s Annual Passenger Survey, 99.2% of visitors said their trip met or exceeded their expectations in 2025, highlighting the strength of the Isle of Man's tourism offering and the lasting impression the island leaves on those who experience it.

Deborah Heather, chief executive of Visit Isle of Man, added: ‘We're incredibly proud to see the Isle of Man shortlisted once again in the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards.

‘Over recent years we've seen growing recognition of the island as a destination that offers something genuinely different, from our spectacular natural environment and rich heritage to our thriving communities and unique experiences.

‘What makes the Isle of Man truly special is its authenticity. We don't try to be like anywhere else. The Extraordinary Isle campaign is about celebrating who we are, and this nomination reflects the growing number of visitors who connect with that.

‘With a visitor satisfaction rate of 99.2%, we know people leave with wonderful memories of the island, and we'd love their help to secure a place in this year's top 10.’

To support this year’s nomination, Visit Isle of Man has also produced a promotional video featuring visitors and residents talking about what they value about the island.

The video focuses on personal experiences and highlights the island’s scenery, attractions, community and sense of place.

‘The promotional video is not actors reading a script, it is real people sharing what they genuinely love about the Isle of Man,’ Ms Heather added.

‘Whether you're a resident, a returning visitor or someone who has discovered the island for the first time, it's those personal connections, those experiences and the warmth of our community that make the Isle of Man such a special place.’

Voting for the 2026 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards is open until October 27.

The Isle of Man appears in the ‘Most Desirable Island in Europe’ category on page eight of the voting form.